Do you find you prefer different lenses in different parks?

[lucifie]

I'm kind of a newbie to photography and this will be my first trip to WDW since I had my DSLR. I don't want to carry around all of my lenses, but I'm having a hard time deciding which one(s) to take to the parks. This time we're going to both MK and Epcot twice so if I find I don't like my lens choices, I have another chance. We're only going to DHS once so I have to get it right that day.

Here's what I own:

Nikon D3300 (entry level, crop sensor)
18-55mm kit lens
55-200mm kit lens
35 mm f/1.8 prime lens
50 mm f/1.8 prime lens
Tamron 70-300 f/4-5.8 (no vibration reduction, but I like it a lot)
Small speedlight
Tripod and monopod (I doubt I want to carry them in the parks, but I might take the monopod on the boat)

Here are some key things we're planning:

We're hoping to get DS into the Jedi Training Academy
Fantasmic
Symphony of Stars fireworks
Pirates and Pals voyage (Wishes from a boat and we'll also be able to see the Electrical Water Pageant)
Maybe a character meal if I can find any ADRs

I do plan on bringing all of my equipment on our trip. I just might not bring it all into the parks. Which lenses do you like for the parks?

 

[xlxo]

If I can't decide.... 18-200mm or 18-300mm superzooms. Works great with that speed light.

 

[OKW Lover]

Like @xlxo above, I regularly use an 18-200 zoom. That covers pretty much anything I need, except for low-light situations.

I find that I tend to use the longer end of that zoom when in DAK and in Epcot. I'm often in the mid-range at DHS and MK. But there is also a great deal of use of the shorter end in just about every park to capture some interesting detail.

 

[DSLRuser]

on a DX nikon, i used to take 80% of my shots with the 35mm 1.8.

I also had a 50mm 1.4, but it was too tight for character meets.

Take 1 lens a day, and force yourself to only shoot with that lens. Then on your 5th day, you will have an idea of what you like / want.

I am now on an FX nikon, and the 50mm 1.4 is again, 80% of my shots. I bring a 55-300 to animal kingdom, and a 22-84 for the other 3 parks.

I will go ahead and bring my SB700 speedlight at night. Dont use it very often, but its nice to have when i need it.

 

[bob100]

I only take what fits in my pocket !
www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I use a crop sensor camera and I have four lenses that I carry and use in whatever park I am in. I tend to shoot everything and photography is a major part of the trip. This may not work for everyone.

Walkaround- 28-70 f2.8, in your case I would use the 18-55 kit.
Wide angle- 17-50 f2.8, for you the 18-50 kit
Length for shows and AK (if you are going)- 70-200 f2.8 for you 55-200
Dark rides- 30 f1.4 for you the 35 f1.8

You will notice all my lenses are f2.8 or 1.4, so I will have an advantage in lowlight capability versus the kit lenses. Just be aware you may run into some difficulties in those conditions. Each park offers up its own variety of shots and to make the best of it, I would carry those three lenses. If you are going to shoot fireworks and you want those flowery type shots, then the tripod along with a remote is a necessity. The flash is good for fill light and knocking down the effects of bright sun.

Because the kit lenses are usually small and lightweight this kit shouldn't hinder you too badly. My gear is considerably heavier and I tend to be a pack mule. Have fun with the photography. I guarantee after the trip your family will enjoy them.

 

[DizBee Brian]

Hi Lucifie!

If i were you, I would go with the 55-200 [if its not too big?] as my walk around lens; the 35 1.8 for indoor / ride shots and if you have the space in your bag the 18-55 as a wide lens, for those scenic pics. But since you are traveling with family/kids then I think you would want to get in a little closer, thus the 55-200 over the 18-55. The 70-300 I would suggest for Animal Kingdom [swapping out the 55-200 for the 70-300]. Def also bring your speed light/flash as well...this might make for good use for meet n greets and portrait style pics when you get hit with those lovely Florida shady spots. Just remember some attractions dont allow flash photography!! lol.

I hope this helps and have a great trip!

KUNGALOOSH!!

Brian

 

[mom2rtk]

With my crop sensor camera, 95% of my shots were with my 17-55 lens. Disney is a crowded place, and you can't always back up to get everything in your shot. I would take that and the speedlite every day. I would pick one extra to take along each day. AK day I'd take the zoom. MK day I'd take the 35mm prime for dark rides. (I'm not a fan of 50mm on a crop sensor so I'd leave that one at home). If you're seeing shows at DHS, I'd take the zoom there as well.

Have fun and have a great trip!

 

[KVH]

Based on the OP's conditions, I would say the 18-50 and the 35. Then again, I don't think anything listed is wide enough. I'm not a real fan of reach in the parks, especially for things like meet & greets.

 

[elmoandzoey]

I'd also take the 18-55 for walkaround and 35 for indoor shots. Fantasmic would lend itself to a zoom lens IF it's a fast one. I switched out my Tamron 70-300 for the 50mm f1.8 last time I shot Fantasmic at DHS because I could just not get any decent shots at all (it is a rather dark show after all). My suggestions would be to use the faster 50mm and then crop in post. I got awesome shots with the nifty fifty and most of the time I didn't even need to crop (which brings me to the conclusion that the 70-200 would have been too narrow later on anyways)! For me, there'd be no point taking any of the zooms you have unless I'd do animal shots at AK. I even went as far as making a 10-22 my prime on a crop instead of the 18-55. Works great for portraits, too!

For Symphony of the Stars, the kit lens will be fine but you'll want to take that tripod. Or find something you can put your camera on (like a trash can, table, etc.) You do need a long shutter speed that you cannot do handheld, even with a monopod.

Flash can be good, but unless you are familiar with flash photography and know how to use it right as filler light (meaning get out of auto settings), I'd leave the flash at home. In most instances, flash can ruin a perfectly good photo if it's not used right.